Some of our clients have asked: "Our engineers live in CAD. How do we get CMMC compliant without slowing them down?"
It's the right question to ask. If your engineers open, edit, or create CAD files that contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), those workstations, files, and users are all in scope for CMMC Level 2.
CAD doesn't behave like email and spreadsheets, so a generic compliance setup can leave your design team stuck.
The good news: you don't have to lock down your whole company. A CUI enclave, built around where CAD work happens, gets your engineers compliant without rebuilding your network.
Choosing the right one comes down to two questions:
Why CAD is Different
Drawings and models delivered under defense contracts are often CUI, and some also carry ITAR or EAR export controls. CAD also brings unique challenges that most enclaves don't address, for example:
- GPU-heavy desktop apps like SolidWorks, Inventor, NX, CATIA, and Creo
- Assemblies and point clouds that run to multiple gigabytes
- Vendor cloud sync and collaboration features that can move CUI outside the boundary
- Constant file exchange with primes and suppliers
Option 1: Microsoft GCC
One option we offer is a Microsoft GCC Enclave.
GCC is a good fit for CAD teams that handle CUI but not export-controlled data.
GCC costs less than GCC High and supports more Microsoft features and third-party apps. Choose this option when your contracts carry DFARS 252.204-7012 and CUI markings, with no ITAR or EAR controls and no prime requiring GCC High.
The caveat: Microsoft positions GCC High, not GCC, for contractual DFARS 7012 and ITAR support. Confirm with your prime and assessor first, because moving to GCC High later is a full tenant migration.
Option 2: Microsoft GCC High
If your CAD files are ITAR- or EAR-controlled, then you want to look at a GCC High enclave. It runs on Azure Government, is operated by screened U.S. persons, and has completed FedRAMP High audits.
The trade-offs: licensing costs more, some Microsoft features arrive on a slower timeline, and some third-party apps don't integrate. Verify your CAD, PDM, and plotting tools before you migrate.
CMMC for CAD Teams
GCC vs. GCC High: Which Enclave Fits Your CAD Work?
If your engineers create or edit CAD files with CUI, they need a secure enclave. Here's how the two Microsoft options compare.
| Factor |
Microsoft GCCMNS Group Enclave |
Microsoft GCC HighMNS Group Enclave |
| Best for |
CAD files with CUI, no export-controlled data |
CAD files with CUI plus ITAR or EAR technical data |
| ITAR / EAR data |
Not recommended |
Supported, U.S.-person operated on Azure Government |
| DFARS 7012 |
Confirm with your prime and assessor |
Microsoft's recommended path |
| Running CAD |
Managed CAD workstations or GPU virtual desktops |
Managed CAD workstations or GPU virtual desktops in Azure Government |
| Cost |
Lower |
Higher |
| App compatibility |
Broad Microsoft and third-party support |
Some features and apps lag; verify CAD and PDM tools |
| Upgrade path |
Moving to GCC High later means a full tenant migration |
Already at the highest tier |
Our take: if any part of your CAD library is export-controlled, or likely to be, start in GCC High. Moving later costs more than starting there.
Learn More About GCC and GCC High
Talk To An Expert
The MNS Group Enclave delivers a CMMC-ready CUI environment for Microsoft GCC or GCC High. We can scope the enclave to the engineers who need it rather than your whole company.
As a U.S.-based C3PAO and Managed services provider, we know what assessors look for in an enclave boundary, and how to build it. Talk to our team, and we'll map your data, your CAD tools, and the right enclave.
